What Is A Bottle Tree? And How To Easily Add One To Your Garden
Have you heard of a bottle tree? Have you ever seen one?
If you live in the “old south” Southern states, you may know all about them. If not, perhaps you saw one while traveling to or through states like Mississippi, Georgia, or the Carolinas.
Coming across one of these creative garden accessories, maybe you’ve wondered how you could add a bottle tree to your garden.
I sure did.
And this year, one of our treasured trees in our backyard was infected by a fungus and died. We don’t have the heart to cut it down. So, I decided to research bottle trees and create one of my own.
History of Hollow Glass Bottles
Hollow glass bottles began appearing around 1600 BC in Egypt.
Soon after, tales began circulating about spirits living in the bottles.
These tales could’ve been a product of the people of that time hearing the “whispering” a bottle can make when the wind blows across the top of it.
This led to the belief of spirits, genies, or imps living inside bottles. You know, like the Arabian folk tale, Aladdin.
Lore Of The Bottle Tree
As tales like this began to circulate, people started placing bottles in entryways and hanging them in trees to capture or repel these bad spirits.
Belief was the wandering night spirits would be lured to the pretty glass bottle and get stuck inside.
The light of the morning would then destroy the trapped spirit.
Introducing America To The Lore
The common lore of the bottle tree dates back to the 9th Century AD and the Congo area of Africa.
However, Felder Rushing, the bottle tree expert, says his research finds the bottle tree lore dating back much further than that. And far more north.
Lore of the bottle tree was introduced to the Americas by African slaves in the 17th century. They would hang bottles in the crepe myrtle trees of the plantations they worked and lived on.
Crepe myrtle trees are a recurring image that represents freedom and escape from slavery, in the Old Testament.
Bottle Trees In Today’s World
In today’s modern times, bottle trees aren’t created to catch evil spirits. We aren’t as superstitious as our ancestors.
When you spot a bottle tree in your neighbor’s yard, don’t be quick to judge that your neighbor is superstitious or into “witchy things” as the lore might suggest.
Now, we add them simply because they are beautiful.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s also an easy way to recycle your wine bottles.
Not sure what to do with that dead tree or bush in your yard? Turn it into art.
Your family, or neighbors, could pitch in to create a bottle tree.
How To Make A Bottle Tree
Making a bottle tree is super easy, especially if you have an unfortunate tree or bush already on your property.
Just start adding some clean wine bottles to the limbs.
A useful tip to remove labels from glass bottles:
The best way to remove the labels on a bottle is to soak the bottle for about 20–30 minutes in warm water with a few tablespoons of baking soda. Remove the bottle from the water and scrub the labels with a sponge. Soak the bottle again if you run into some stubborn glue residue. You can also use a wooden spoon to scrape the residue.
Being careful the limb can support the weight of the bottle, thread the limb through the opening of the bottle. I found it’s more supported if the limb reaches the bottom of the bottle completely. (This could be because my tree is in such bad shape.)
No worries, if you don’t a dead tree to work with.
You can make one easily enough.
I found these instructions at WikiHow.com:
Make a bottle tree out of a square or round fence post.
- Dig a hole in your yard and pour a concrete base. Insert the post into the ground and allow it to dry. Screw holes around each side of the tree intermittently. Use a drill at a downward angle, ensuring you extend each hole at least three inches (7.5cm) inward.
- Insert metal rods of six inches to one and a half feet (0.2 to 0.5m).
- You can purchase metal reinforcing rods at a home or hardware store.
- Make sure each of these rods is secure before continuing to the next one.
Make a bottle tree out of rebar.
Recently, this has become a very popular choice because of its durability in all climates. Purchase 10 to 20 lengths of rebar from a construction recycling yard, a steel business or a large hardware store. The rebar should be 3/8-inch to ½-inch (1 to 1.3cm) rebar. They can be at different lengths to mimic branches.
- Purchase a metal collar in which you can encircle your rebar branches or plan to weld the rebar together.
- Rent a conduit bender if you want to bend the rebar dramatically.
- Drive stakes into the holes where the rebar will go. Then, drive the rebar into the ground with a stake hammer.
- Weld your rebar together if you want to. Check that it is sturdy before decorating it.
Pictures Of Bottle Trees
Looking for pictures of bottle trees to inspire your creation?
Here are photos of our bottle tree:
Or you could travel to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch on Route 66 in Oro Grande, California, and be awe-inspired.
Sadly, the owner, Elmer Evan Long, passed away in June 2019, causing the ranch to temporarily close.
But, as of the day of this post, the ranch has reopened and posted this update.
Elmer Long passed away peacefully on June 22nd, 2019 surrounded by friends and family.
He created an amazing place that became a thing of wonder and a destination for people all over the world. His family will do everything in it’s power to preserve and protect his legacy after his sudden passing. He is greatly missed and will be forever remembered for the love fostered with family, friends and stranger alike brought together by his amazing creations.
Rest in Peace.
Elmer Evan Long
10/8/1946–6/22/2019
I would love to see this place one day.
If you have ever been there, please share your photos and thoughts in the comments below.
Buy A Bottle Tree
Don’t worry that you can’t have a bottle tree because you don’t have a tree or bush.
Maybe you have limited space in your garden. Or you live in an apartment.
Building a bottle tree might not be in your wheelhouse either.
You can still have a beautiful bottle tree.
Just buy one. Bottles too.
You can find lots of options from my favorite store and yours, Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Whether you believe in the lore or not, adding a bottle tree to your garden or patio is easier than ever.
Make one or buy one and add this colorful art to your yard.
Share your bottle tree photos with us and we’ll add them to this post.
